Method for connecting at least two structural parts of an orthopedic component and orthopedic component having at least two structural parts

ABSTRACT

A method for connecting at least two structural parts of an orthopedic component, wherein the structural parts are retained in an orienting device while oriented in relation to each other, an intermediate space thus being formed between the structural parts. The orienting device and the structural parts together form a cavity, which has a flow connection to at least one feed connection, via which an adhesive for adhesively bonding the structural parts is introduced into the cavity.

The invention relates to a method for connecting at least two structuralparts of an orthopedic component, in which the structural parts areretained in an orienting device while oriented in relation to each otherwith an intermediate space thus being formed between the structuralparts. The invention also relates to an orthopedic component having atleast two structural parts which are adhesively bonded to one another ata distance from one another.

Structural parts, in particular those formed from pre-fabricatedsemifinished products based on fiber-reinforced plastics, can beconnected to one another in various ways. Besides a screwed connection,in which case through-holes are formed or made through both structuralparts, through which holes threaded bolts are fitted and connected toone another, it is also possible for the two structural parts to beadhesively bonded to one another. For this purpose, the parts areoriented in relation to one another, are held in relation to one anotherin the oriented form, and an intermediate space is formed between thestructural parts, which space is filled with an adhesive. The assignmentof the two parts is maintained for as long as it takes for the adhesiveto become sufficiently cured. The retaining devices provided asappropriate are then removed and the adhesive that routinely escapes viathe joint area is removed within the scope of a finishing operation.This finishing operation is laborious and can only be carried out bymeans of time-consuming, manual work.

The object of the present invention is to provide a method forconnecting at least two structural parts of an orthopedic component andalso an orthopedic component as such, which can be realized moreeconomically, ensure a precise orientation of the structural parts inrelation to one another, and reduce the finishing effort.

This object is achieved in accordance with the invention by a methodhaving the features of the main claim and by an orthopedic componenthaving the features of the additional independent claim. Advantageousembodiments and developments of the invention are disclosed in thedependent claims, in the description, and in the drawings.

The method for connecting at least two structural parts of an orthopediccomponent, in which the structural parts are retained in an orientingdevice while oriented in relation to each other with an intermediatespace thus being formed between the structural parts, makes provisionfor the orienting device and the structural parts to together form ahollow space, which is fluidically connected to at least one feedconnection and via which an adhesive for adhesively bonding thestructural parts is introduced into the hollow space. Due to theorienting device, which is formed as what is known as a molding shelland remains on the structural part, it is possible, besides anorientation of the structural parts in relation to one another, to alsoform a hollow space, which is substantially closed and generally hasjust one feed connection, for example a drilled hole in a side wall,through which adhesive is introduced into the hollow space. The hollowspace is delimited at least in part by the structural parts so that theintroduced adhesive comes into contact with the structural parts and canadhesively bond these to one another. The hollow space preferably alsohas an outlet channel so that, when the adhesive is introduced into thehollow space, the air can be displaced so that the hollow space can becompletely filled. As soon as adhesive escapes from the outlet channel,it is ensured that the hollow space has been completely filled withadhesive, and the filling with adhesive is finished, the feed connectionand outlet channel are closed, and the adhesive is left to cure. In thisway, on the one hand the assignment of the structural parts to oneanother is produced in a reproducible and precise manner in relation toone another and on the other hand adhesive is prevented from coming intocontact with the structural parts outside the hollow space, wherebyfinishing operations are avoided. The adhesive in the cured statepreferably has resilient properties, for example in the case of a footprosthesis so as not to tear or fracture as the prosthetic foot rollsfrom heel to toe. PU, TPU and/or TPE are preferably used as adhesives.For rigid connections in areas that are exposed to a smaller ornon-critical dynamic load, resins can also be used, which in particularis advantageous in the case of fiber-reinforced material, since the sameresins used to form the matrix of the fibers can be used, thus resultingin a good connection between the structural parts and the adhesive.

The structural parts are retained oriented in relation to one anotheruntil the adhesive has cured. This can be achieved for example in thatreceptacles, slots and guides are arranged or formed in the orientingdevice so that the orienting device is automatically secured to thestructural parts. Alternatively, it is possible for the structural partsto be fixed to the orienting device via a clamping device or anotherfixing device, for example by means of a clamp, so that, even when theadhesive is fed under pressure, the orientation of the structural partsin relation to one another is not cancelled. In a particular embodiment,an additional orientation of the structural parts in a plane can also beprovided via an apparatus or an auxiliary device. Whereas the orientingdevice ensures the position of the structural parts in a plane and forexample at one end of the orthopedic component, the auxiliary device orapparatus can ensure the orientation in another plane or orientation, sothat the orienting device does not on its own position the structuralparts in relation to one another. The auxiliary device ensures theorientation in another plane or orientation, and by way of example anedge can be spared and the orientation and positioning of the free endsof the structural parts can be implemented via the auxiliary device, forexample the press or a clamping device.

At least one structural part is advantageously embedded in the adhesive,wherein there is no need for complete embedment in the adhesive, ratherit is sufficient when at least one structural part comes into contactwith the adhesive at more than one surface, for example on an upper sideand a lower side or on a number of side faces, in order to provide anadhesive bonding of the structural part on a number of sides. Inprinciple, it is sufficient when just one surface of the structural partin question, for example an upper side, side face or lower side of aleaf spring-like or rib-like part is connected to the adhesive in orderto provide an adhesive bond to the other structural part and theorienting device.

A development of the invention makes provision for at least onestructural part to be pressed during the adhesive bonding against theorienting device, whereby it is not necessary to design the orientingdevice as an independently sealing mold part assigning the structuralparts to one another. It is thus sufficient for a region above a firststructural part, which region rests on the surface of the firststructural part and is upwardly open, to be surrounded via spacers and aperipheral edge. This upwardly open receptacle, which for example canhave guide edges for the second structural part, is closed by the secondstructural part in that the second structural part is placed against theorienting device and is acted on by a force in the direction of thefirst structural part.

The hollow space is sealed by holding the structural parts, naturallyinclusive of the feed connection and the outlet channel, so that asubstantially closed hollow space is produced, from which the fedadhesive can escape only through the outlet channel. Due to thepractically complete sealing of the hollow space or the hollow spaces,it is possible to avoid finishing operations or to reduce these to aminimum.

The adhesive can be introduced into the hollow space via feed devices,for example feed tubes, wherein the feed devices and where applicablealso outlet devices such as outlet tubes remain on the orienting deviceuntil the adhesive is cured and are removed once the adhesive has cured.The feed devices and where applicable outlet devices such as tubes,pipes and the like can be formed as separate components which areinserted into the relevant channels and prevent adhesive from cominginto contact with the surface both of the structural parts and of theorienting device as said adhesive cures. By removing the feed devicesand the outlet devices, it is possible to produce a cleaner connectionwithout finishing operations and without the risk of adhesive residueson the respective components.

The orthopedic component having at least two structural parts which areadhesively bonded to one another at a distance from one another makesprovision for the structural parts to be retained in an orienting devicewhile oriented in relation to one another and for the orienting deviceto have at least one spacer, which distances the structural elementsfrom one another. Due to the one or more spacers, it is possible to forma hollow space between the structural parts which is filled by theadhesive, advantageously completely, so that an adhesive bonding of thestructural parts to one another over the greatest area possible isensured.

The orienting device is adhesively bonded to the structural parts andremains on the structural parts after the adhesive bonding so that theorienting device is part of the orthopedic component. The orientingdevice thus serves on the one hand as a mold and on the other hand as afunctional component, for example for protection, and therefore theorienting device can be referred to as a molding shell, which on the onehand constitutes a lost mold and on the other hand performs anadditional function, specifically the protection of the structural partsby means of an appropriate material selection and/or as a rollingcontour due to its shaping on the lower side. The orienting device isadvantageously produced from a flexible, resilient plastic, whichsurrounds the structural elements at least in part so that functionalrequirements which cannot be satisfied by the structural parts per se,for example on account of the material characteristics, are alsosatisfied by the orienting device. By way of example, it is possiblethat the orienting device has a cushioning function and a profilingfunction so that a shaping of the structural parts can additionally beperceived through the orienting device.

The orienting device has at least one insertion opening for at least onestructural element, wherein the shape of the insertion openingcorresponds substantially to the contour of the structural part. Theinsertion opening enables the assignment of the structural part to theorienting device when the orienting device is fitted onto the structuralelement or the structural element is inserted into the orienting device.Guide elements or devices are provided within the orienting device, forexample slots, grooves or protrusions, so that the orienting device issecured to the structural part in a defined manner. The insertionopening itself bears as closely as possible against the contour of thestructural part in order to avoid an undesirable escape of adhesive asthe hollow space is filled with adhesive.

The structural parts are advantageously formed as leaf springs, whichare arranged parallel to one another and come into contact with theadhesive in the region of the hollow space so that a stable andlarge-area adhesive bonding of the leaf springs to one another ispresent there.

At least one structural part is preferably surrounded on a number ofsides by the adhesive in order to ensure the most defined and stableadhesively bonded connection possible between the structural parts andthe orienting device.

At least one connection channel is advantageously formed in theorienting device, which channel connects two hollow spaces separated bya structural part to one another. It may thus be possible for a hollowspace to be formed on the lower side of the structural part, whichhollow space is formed between the structural part and the orientingdevice. Due to this lower hollow space, the adhesive by way of examplecan be introduced so that it is necessary to convey the adhesive fromthe lower-side hollow space into the hollow space formed between thestructural parts. From there, a connection channel can lead on to eitherthe outlet channel, which is arranged at the advantageously geodeticallyupper or highest point in order to expel the air completely from thehollow spaces when the adhesive is introduced. It is also possible formore than two structural parts to be adhesively bonded in a manneroriented in relation to one another, such that a hollow space isprovided between each two structural parts, i.e. in the case of threestructural parts at least two hollow spaces are thus provided, whichhave to be connected to one another in order to avoid having to providea number of feed connections in order to fill the hollow space or thehollow spaces. In principle, it is also possible, in the case of anumber of hollow spaces separated from one another, to provide eachhollow space or a number of hollow spaces with a feed connection and acorresponding outlet channel.

The orthopedic component can be formed as a prosthetic foot or orthoticcomponent.

The orienting device can bear against or surround at least onestructural part at least on three sides. With a planar embodiment of thestructural part and a placement and laying in a frame, the frame isgenerally arranged on the front side and the two lateral edges of thestructural part. If a structural part is inserted into a slot, theorienting device bears at least in part against the lower side, theupper side, the front side, and the two side faces and protrudes outfrom the insertion opening.

The structural part is preferably formed as a fiber-reinforced plasticspart, however it is also possible in principle to adhesively bond otherstructural parts to one another and to fix these to one another togetherwith the orienting device via an adhesive connection of this type. It isalso possible for structural parts made of different materials, forexample metals and fiber composite materials, to be adhesively bonded toone another via a device of this type, since there is no need for directcontact between the structural parts and the distanced assignment of thestructural parts with intermediate positioning of the adhesive ensures adistanced fastening of the structural parts to one another. In addition,a protective sheathing, at least a partial protective sheathing, isprovided via the orienting device.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be explained in greaterdetail hereinafter on the basis of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a side view of an orthopedic component during manufacture;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view with feed and outlet devices;

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of part of an orthopedic component;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an orienting device;

FIG. 5 shows another view of the orienting device from FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 shows a partial illustration of an orthopedic component obliquelyfrom behind;

FIG. 7 shows a variant of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 shows a perspective partial illustration of a second embodiment;

FIG. 9 shows another view of the embodiment from FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 shows an overall view of an orienting device of the secondembodiment;

FIG. 11 shows a sectional illustration of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 shows a sectional illustration of FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 shows another view of FIG. 12; and

FIG. 14 shows a variant of the orienting device without base.

FIG. 1, in a side view, shows a schematic illustration of a front partof an orthopedic component 1, which is formed as a prosthetic foot. Theprosthetic foot has two structural parts 10, 20, which are produced asleaf springs made of a fiber-reinforced plastic. The forefoot region ofthe orthopedic component 1 is illustrated: the first structural part 10is a forefoot spring and the second structural part is a base spring.The forefoot spring 10 extends upwardly at an incline to an upperconnection point, at which fastening devices or connection means forfastening can be fastened to a lower leg rod or a lower leg shaft. Thebase spring 20 leads into the heel region, wherein a heel spring canextend from the base spring 20 to the forefoot spring 10 and/or theupper connection means.

The structural parts 10, 20 are assigned to an orienting device 4, whichis formed as a plastic injection-molded part. The orienting device 4 canconsist of a polyurethane, an engineering polyethylene, an engineeringpolyurethane, rubber, or another plastic, preferably elastomer. Theorienting device 4 has an insertion slot for the second structural part20 and a receiving region on the upper side for the first structuralpart 10, against which region the first structural part 10 can beplaced. The support region is bordered by walls so that the firststructural part 10 can be placed in a defined position in relation tothe orienting device 4 when the contour of the structural part 10 bearsagainst the walls around the support region.

The second structural part 20 is inserted into a slot (not illustrated)within the orienting device so that the lower side of the secondstructural part 20 or of the leaf spring is covered by a closed surfaceof the lower side of the orienting device 4. A spacer is formed betweenthe two structural parts 10, 20 and holds the two structural parts 10,20 at a distance from one another. Due to the insertion of the secondstructural part 20 into the orienting device 4, this structural part 20is also assigned in a defined manner, for example in that the secondstructural part is guided in a slot or in a groove within the receivingdevice 4. The two structural parts 10, 20 and the receiving device 4thus form a hollow space, which is substantially closed. A feedconnection 44 is provided in a side wall of the orienting device 4,which feed connection is fluidically connected to the hollow space (notillustrated) and through which adhesive can be introduced or pumped intothe hollow space. An outlet channel is provided on the side facing awayfrom the feed connection 44, which outlet channel is likewisefluidically connected to the hollow space so that the air located withinthe hollow space can escape and the hollow space can be completelyfilled with adhesive.

The structural parts 10, 20 and the orienting device 4 are held in apress 7, which can be formed as a conventional vice. Two press shoes 71,72 are arranged on the press 7 and have a contour corresponding to theassigned contour of the orthopedic component 1. In the illustratedexemplary embodiment the upper press shoe 71 is provided with a convexcurvature and the lower press shoe 72 is provided with a concavecurvature so that on the one hand the lower side of the receiving device4 and on the other hand the upper side of the first structural part 10can bear over the entire surface against the surface of the relevantpress shoes 71, 72. If the press 7 is closed and pressure is exertedonto the press shoe 71, 72, the first structural part 10 will be pressedagainst the surface of the support face on the orienting device 4 sothat the hollow space formed between the structural parts 10, 20 aboveand below and at the side faces by means of the orienting device 4 isclosed and adhesive can be fed only through the feed connection 44, andair and any excess adhesive can escape through the outlet channel.

Following the introduction of the adhesive, the pressing force ismaintained until the adhesive has cured, so that a permanent connectionbetween the first structural part 10, the second structural part 20, andthe orienting device 4 is attained. After curing of the adhesive, theorienting device 4 remains on the orthopedic component 1 and serves inturn as protection for the structural parts 10, 20 and on the other handas functional component of the orthopedic component, for example as ashaping for the prosthetic foot, as a cushion, as a sole structure, orin other embodiments as a receiving device or protective device forfurther components.

FIG. 2, in a perspective oblique plan view, shows the manufacture of theorthopedic component 1, or at least the connection of the structuralparts 10, 20 to the orienting device 4. A feed device 51 is attached tothe orienting device 4 at the feed connection 44, which feed device inthe illustrated exemplary embodiment is formed as a tube or pipe andthrough which adhesive is introduced into the hollow space (notillustrated) as indicated by the arrow. The hollow space is formed andclosed on the upper side and on the lower side by the structural parts10, 20, on the front side and on the side edges by the side walls of theorienting device 4, and on the rear side between the structural parts10, 20 by a spacer, which bears tightly both against the lower side ofthe first structural part 10 and against the upper side of the secondstructural part 20. In FIG. 2 the press 7 is not illustrated, howeverthe assignment of the respective components 4, 10, 20 by the press 7 oranother suitable fixing device is maintained during the feed of theadhesive.

Adhesive is introduced into the hollow space through the feed device 51and the feed connection 44, and the air disposed in the hollow space isdisplaced by the adhesive and is transported away by an outlet device52. The outlet device 52 is connected at an outlet channel (notillustrated), which is fluidically connected to the hollow space withinthe receiving device 4, so that air and any excess adhesive can escapefrom the outlet channel through the outlet opening 51, as indicated bythe arrow. Both the feed connection 44 and the outlet channel arepreferably arranged in a spacer, which ensures that the structural parts10, 20 are held at a distance from one another. It is thus ensured thatthe feed connection 44 and the outlet channel are blocked by thearrangement of the structural parts 10, 20 on or in the orienting device4.

The press 7 (not illustrated) holds the assignment of the components 4,10, 20 in relation to one another until the adhesive has cured. Once theadhesive has cured, the feed device 51 and the outlet device 52 areseparated from the orienting device 4, for example snapped off, so thata practically smooth termination of the orienting device 4 in the regionof the feed connection 44 and the outlet channel can be achieved. Thiscan be ensured for example by a predetermined breaking point on the feeddevice 51 and/or the outlet device 52 in the region of the connection tothe orienting device 4.

FIG. 3 shows a sectional illustration through a front part of afinished, assembled prosthetic foot as orthopedic component 1 with anupper first structural part 10 resting on the orienting device 4, saidstructural part 10 being in the form of a forefoot spring made of afiber-reinforced plastics material, with the orienting device 4, andwith the second structural part 20 inserted into the orienting device 4,said structural part being in the form of a base spring, which islikewise formed as a leaf spring made of a fiber-reinforced plasticmaterial. The upper leaf spring rests on an upper support face, and thelower leaf spring rests on a lower support face 820. A channel 48 isformed at the front end (on the right-hand side in the illustratedexemplary embodiment) of the orienting device 4 and leads from the lowerside of the second structural part 20 to the hollow space 41, which isenclosed by the second structural part 20, the first structural part 10,and the orienting device 4. Indentations 821 are formed in the supportface 820, which is formed by the surface of the base of the orientingdevice 4 facing toward the second structural part 20, so that adhesive 5completely filling the hollow space 41 can infiltrate the indentations821 also below the second structural part 20 on account of a structuredsurface or the indentations 821, which are fluidically connected to thehollow space 41, such that at least the lower structural part 20 issurrounded by a number of sides or at a number of points by the adhesive5. A feed connection 44 is advantageously arranged at the geodeticallylowest point of the orienting device 4 during the assembly, for exampleon the lower side of the orienting device 4 in the case of the presentedorientation, and is fluidically connected both to the indentations 821and, on account of the channel 48, also to the hollow space 41. Ifadhesive 5 is now fed at the lowest point, said adhesive pushes throughthe structured surface on the upper side of the base of the orientingdevice 4 through the indentations 821, through the channel 48 into thehollow space 41, wherein the air previously enclosed therein is guidedaway through the outlet channel (not illustrated).

FIG. 3 additionally shows an insertion opening 420 for the secondstructural part 20, which opening in the illustrated exemplaryembodiment is formed as a slot and ends at the height of the upper sideof the base forming the support face 820. A first spacer 401 is arrangedabove the insertion opening 420, on which spacer the first structuralpart 20 is rested so that an intermediate space 12 is formed between thefirst structural part 10 and the second structural part 20, whichintermediate space continues also toward the front, since a secondspacer 402 is formed at the front end and serves as a support face forthe first structural part 10. It can be seen from FIG. 3 that theinsertion opening 420 is dimensioned so that the lower leaf spring canbe pushed through and inserted in a tightly bearing manner. As theadhesive 5 is introduced, adhesive is thus prevented from being able toescape from a region of the insertion opening 420 around the secondstructural part 20. The sealing effect is increased by the pressing ofthe first structural part 10 against the spacer 401 and thereforeagainst the second structural part 20. On account of the second pressshoe 72, the support face 820 bears tightly against the structural part20 so that no adhesive can escape as the hollow space 41 is filled.

The front end of the lower structural part 20 is received completely inthe receiving device 4 and is protected and surrounded on all sides: theedging or framing of the upper support face for the first structuralpart protects the leaf springs at the periphery; the protection on thelower side is provided by the adhesive and the support face on theorienting device 4; merely the upper side is unprotected.

FIG. 4, in a perspective illustration, shows a receiving device 4 inaccordance with the embodiment of the previous drawings. Besides thefeed connection 44, the outlet channel 45, and the lower support face820, the indentation 821 is illustrated slightly enlarged. The channel48, which is fluidically connected to the indentation 821, is notillustrated. The spacers 401, 402 on the rear side and the front sidecan be seen. The spacers 401, 402 at the same time form, on their uppersides, an upper support face 810 for the first structural part (notillustrated), which is pressed by its lower side against the supportface 810. The insertion slot or the insertion opening 420 ends at theheight of the lower support face 820. A groove is made in the lateralspacers 403 laterally next to the support face 820, into which groovethe leaf-shaped structural part 20 is inserted until it contacts thefront termination of the orienting device 4.

The upper support face 810 is edged by side walls 404, 405, 406, whichcan correspond in terms of their material thickness to that of the upperstructural part 10. Due to the side walls 404, 405, 406, a definedassignment of the upper structural part 10 to the orienting device 4 andtherefore to the lower structural part 20 is ensured when the front andlateral edges of the structural part 10 bear against the respective sidewalls 404, 405, 406. If the height of the side walls 404, 405, 406corresponds to the material thickness of the upper structural part 10,the surfaces can terminate in a flush manner.

FIG. 5 shows the orienting device 4 in accordance with the previousembodiments in an oblique view from behind, from which the rear spacer401, the front spacer 402, and the insertion opening 420 are veryclearly visible. It can also be seen that the feed connection 44 islower than the outlet channel 45, wherein both the feed connection 44and the outlet channel 45 are formed within the spacer 403. A groove, inwhich the second structural part 20 can be inserted, is formed by anundercut in side walls formed below the spacer 403. The elevated sidewalls 404, 405, 406, which protrude past the upper support face 810, canalso be seen, as can the support face 820 on the upper side of the baseof the orienting device 4, which support face is flat in the illustratedexemplary embodiment. A receptacle is formed within the orienting device4 by the side walls 402, 403 and the rear spacer 401, which receptaclecan be completely filled with adhesive. By inserting the lowerstructural part 20 through the insertion opening 420, the insertionopening 420 is closed, so that the receptacle is only open upwardlyafter the insertion of the second structural part 20. If the structuralpart 10 (not illustrated) is rested on the upper support face 810, thehollow space 41 is closed. Once the hollow space 41 has been filled withthe adhesive, this is connected in an adhesively bonded manner both tothe orienting device 4 and to the two structural parts 10 and 20.

FIG. 6 shows a front part of the orthopedic component in the form of aprosthetic foot obliquely from behind in a finished, assembled state.The lower structural part 20 is inserted into the insertion opening 420,and the upper structural part 10 is rested and held on the support face810 (not illustrated), with an intermediate space 12 thus being formed,this being ensured by the spacer 401. The outlet channel is arranged ina side wall, and the components 4, 10, 20 are permanently connected viathe adhesive within the receiving device 4.

FIG. 7 shows the embodiment according to FIG. 6 from the other side; thefeed connection 44 is arranged on a front side wall of the orientingdevice 4.

FIG. 8 shows a variant of the invention in which, instead of just twostructural parts, as is illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7, three structuralparts 10, 20, 30 are connected to one another via an orienting device 4.The orthopedic component 1 is again formed as a prosthetic foot and hasa base spring as lower structural part 30. The forefoot spring is formedas a double leaf spring arrangement connected in parallel, comprisingtwo leaf springs as middle structural part 20 and upper structural part10. The orientation of the double spring and the base spring correspondsto the orientation as has been described further above, howeverdifferent orientations and arrangements of the structural parts 10, 20,30 in relation to one another are, in principle, possible and provided.

An intermediate spacer 23 is formed between the lower structural part 30and the middle structural part 20, whereas a second intermediate spacer12 is formed between the upper structural part 10 and the middlestructural part 20. The intermediate space is formed by correspondingspacers within the orienting device 4.

The orienting device 4, in contrast to the previous embodiment, isclosed upwardly, that is to say the upper structural part 10 is notrested on an upper support face in order to close off a hollow space,but rather all structural parts are inserted into the orienting device 4from the rear side through insertion openings.

Since the spacing of the respective structural parts 10, 20, 30continues within the orienting device 4, at least two hollow spaces areformed within the orienting device 4 and are separated from one anotherso that, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, two feed connections44, 46 are provided, such that the hollow spaces can be filledseparately. It is thus possible to provide for example differentadhesives, different adhesive temperatures, or other process featureswhen required by the process.

FIG. 9 shows the embodiment according to FIG. 8 in an oblique view frombehind. The three insertion openings 410, 420, 430 on the rear end faceof the orienting device 4 can be seen, as well as the two feedconnections 44, 46 and the rear spacer 401 formed by the rear wallbetween the structural parts 10, 20, 30.

The insertion opening 430 for the lower structural part 30 is arranged,as in the previous embodiment, at the level of the lower support face820, and the groove, preferably a peripheral groove in the side wall,and an optionally provided structuring of the support face can also beprovided. Instead of the upwardly open design, a cover 440 is providedin the illustrated exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 9 so that theupper side of the upper structural part 10 is also covered by thematerial of the orienting device 4. The front ends of all structuralparts 10, 20, 30 are thus surrounded completely by the orienting device4 and are connected to one another and to the orienting device 4 via theadhesive.

FIG. 10 shows the orienting device 4 in accordance with the secondexemplary embodiment in an isolated illustration. The three insertionopenings 410, 420, 430 on the rear side can be seen, as well as the twolateral feed connections 44, 46, which allow access to the intermediatespaces or hollow spaces within the orienting device 4 created by theinsertion of the structural parts 10, 20, 30. The upper cover 440 formsthe upper termination, and the base of the orienting device 4 forms thelower termination and a sort of sole in an embodiment of the orthopediccomponent as a prosthetic foot.

FIG. 11 shows a sectional view of the orienting device 4, from which theinsertion openings 410, 420, 430, the rear spacer 401, and the front andlateral spacers 402, 403 can be seen. A channel passing through thefront spacer 402 is also formed so that adhesive can be admitted fromthe side through the feed connections 44, 46 into the hollow spaces 41,42, which are formed by the orienting device 4 and the structural partsreceived therein. Alternatively to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8to 10, it is possible for just the lower opening 44 to be formed as afeed connection, whereas the upper opening is formed as an outletchannel, such that adhesive passes through the feed connection 44,through the hollow space 42 and the channel 49, into the hollow space 41and then exits through the outlet channel. The support face 820 can bestructured and can also be washed over or wetted by adhesive so that themiddle structural part is surrounded both on the lower side and on theupper side by adhesive and is connected on both sides to a differentstructural part 10, 30. The closed cover 440 can also be seen, as canthe closed front tip, and an insertion groove for the lower structuralpart, which protrudes beyond the channel 49 in the front direction. Thefeed connections 44, 46 or the feed connection 44 and the outlet channelare formed in the lateral spacers 403.

FIG. 12 shows the front end of the orthopedic component 1 in theassembled state in a schematic sectional illustration. The threestructural parts 10, 20, 30 in the form of leaf springs are insertedthrough the respective insertion openings into the orienting device 4,and the rear spacer 401, the spacer 403 (not illustrated) and the frontspacer 402 are held at a distance from one another in the orientingdevice 4. The adhesive 5 has been introduced into the hollow space 41through the feed connection 44 (not illustrated), has penetrated throughthe channel 49 into the upper hollow space 42, and has been guided awaythrough the upper outlet channel 45 (not illustrated). No adhesive 5 hasescaped rearwardly during manufacture through the sealed termination ofthe insertion openings 410, 420, 430 around the structural parts 10, 20,30. The adhesive surrounds the second structural part 20 on the upperside, on the front side, and on the lower side.

FIG. 13 shows a side view of the assembled prosthetic foot or theorthopedic component 1, in which case, instead of two feed connections,a lower feed connection 44 and an upper outlet channel 45 are providedin the orienting device 4. The three inserted structural parts 10, 20,30 can also be seen, as can the rear spacer 401, the intermediate spacesor hollow spaces 41, 42, which are sealed to the rear by the insertedstructural parts 10, 20, 30 and the upper cover 440, by means of whichthe upper leaf spring or the upper structural part 10 is also coveredand protected completely by the orienting device 4.

The adhesive is pushed through the feed connection 44 into the lowerhollow space 42, through the channel 49 into the upper hollow space 41,and out through the outlet channel 45; as soon as adhesive exits fromthe upwardly placed outlet channel 45, the feed of the adhesive throughthe feed connection 44 is stopped, the structural parts 10, 20, 30 areheld in the desired assignment, and the adhesive is left to cure, suchthat all components 10, 20, 30, 4 are permanently connected to oneanother.

FIG. 14 shows a further variant of the invention in which the orientingdevice 4 is formed without a base on the lower side. The orientingdevice 4 is formed here as a frame with support faces for the structuralparts 10, 20 placed above and below. The frame is peripheral with anenclosed opening, which is completed by the structural parts 10, 20 toform a hollow space, into which adhesive 5 is introduced, such that thelower side of the upper structural part 10 and the upper side of thelower structural part 20 are wetted with adhesive 5 opposite one anotherand are adhesively bonded to one another at the orienting device 4. Bothstructural parts 10, 20 are pressed against the relevant support faceand are held pressed until the adhesive 5 has cured, the formed hollowspace is sealed by pressing against the support faces, excess adhesive 5exits only through the outlet channel arranged in a spacer, preferablyvia an outlet device, and therefore the component is not contaminated byadhesive 5.

Due to the method according to the invention and the orthopediccomponent according to the invention it is possible to adhesively bondtwo structural parts, in particular two fiber composite materials, usinga liquid adhesive and at the same time to surround these structuralparts in order to thus provide a protective casing. The orienting devicefits on or to the components to be connected and forms a cavitytherebetween which forms the receiving space for the liquid adhesive. Inorder to introduce the adhesive into the cavity or the hollow space andat the same time ventilate the cavity, relatively small openings in theform of feed channels or outlet channels are integrated into theorienting device or the mold and casing. Tube connectors can be insertedinto these feed connections and outlet channels and can be connected toa feed tube and a venting tube. In order to ensure that the hollow spacefor the cavity is reliably sealed, the structural parts can be pressedtogether or can be pressed against the receiving device 4, wherein thiscan be made possible due to flexible materials. The material of theorienting device 4 is preferably a flexible, resilient material, suchthat a sealing abutment against the structural parts can be ensured byexerting pressure in the direction of the structural parts. Once theadhesive has been introduced and cured, the tube connectors are removedfrom the orienting device or the molding shell and the connection methodis complete. The mold now no longer serves as a delimitation for theadhesive; it is used as a shell casing of the structural parts in orderto protect the structural parts against damage and additionally in orderto protect further parts, for example a casing or cosmetic productagainst damage by the structural parts connected to one another, whichcan have sharp edges.

Due to the device and the method it is possible to provide a mold for aliquid adhesive for the connection of two structural parts. Theorientation of the components to be connected is ensured by theorienting device 4, and the component parts to be connected are alsoprotected, the production method is clean, and there is no need for anypost-processing of the joint area. The consumption of adhesive islimited, since no excess adhesive can escape, and a defined volumeprovided by the respective hollow spaces can serve as a basis for thecalculation of the fed adhesive quantity. A quantity-controlled feed ofadhesive is thus ensured, which on the one hand uses a minimal quantityof adhesive and on the other hand always provides sufficient adhesive inorder to completely fill the hollow space.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

-   1 orthopedic component-   4 orienting device-   5 adhesive-   7 press-   10 structural part-   12 intermediate space-   20 structural part-   23 intermediate space-   30 structural part-   41 hollow space-   42 hollow space-   44 feed connection-   45 outlet channel-   46 feed connection-   47 outlet channel-   48 channel-   49 channel-   51 feed device-   52 outlet device-   71 press shoe-   72 press shoe-   401 spacer-   402 spacer-   403 spacer-   404 side walls-   405 side walls-   406 side walls-   410 insertion openings-   420 insertion openings-   430 insertion openings-   440 cover-   810 support face-   820 support face-   821 indentation

1. A method for connecting structural parts of an orthopedic component,the method comprising: retaining the structural parts in an orientingdevice while orienting the structural parts relative to each other withan intermediate space formed between the structural parts; fluidlyconnecting at least one feed connection to a hollow space formed betweenthe orienting device and the structural parts; introducing an adhesivethrough at least one feed connection into the hollow space to adhesivelybond the structural parts.
 2. The method as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe structural parts are held oriented relative to each other until theadhesive has cured.
 3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein atleast one of the structural parts is embedded in the adhesive.
 4. Themethod as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the structuralparts is pressed against the orienting device.
 5. The method as claimedin claim 1, wherein the hollow space is sealed off with the exception ofthe feed connection and an outlet channel by holding the structuralparts with the orienting device.
 6. The method as claimed in claim 1,wherein the adhesive is introduced into the hollow space via at leastone feed device, the at least one feed device remains on the orientingdevice until the adhesive is cured, and is then removed.
 7. The methodas claimed in claim 1, wherein the orienting device remains connected tothe structural parts after the adhesive bonding.
 8. An orthopediccomponent, comprising: structural parts which are adhesively bonded toone another at a distance from one another; an orienting deviceconfigured to orient the structural parts relative to each other, theorienting device comprising spacers which space apart the structuralparts from each other, the orienting device being adhesively bonded tothe structural parts.
 9. (canceled)
 10. The orthopedic component asclaimed in claim 8, wherein the orienting device has at least oneinsertion opening for at least one structural part and the shape of theinsertion opening corresponds to a contour of the structural part. 11.The orthopedic component as claimed in claim 8, wherein the structuralparts comprise leaf springs.
 12. The orthopedic component as claimed inclaim 8, wherein at least one of the structural parts is surrounded on aplurality of sides by the adhesive.
 13. The orthopedic component asclaimed in claim 8, wherein at least one connection channel is formed inthe orienting device, the at least one connection channel connecting twohollow spaces provided between the structural parts and the orientingdevice, the hollow spaces being separated by one of the structuralparts.
 14. The orthopedic component as claimed in claim 8, wherein theorthopedic component is a prosthetic foot or an orthotic component. 15.The orthopedic component as claimed in claim 8, wherein the orientingdevice bears against or surrounds at least one of the structural partson at least three sides.
 16. The orthopedic component as claimed inclaim 8, wherein the structural parts comprise fiber-reinforced plasticscomponents.
 17. The orthopedic component as claimed in claim 8, whereinthe orienting device comprises a functional component.
 18. Theorthopedic component as claimed in claim 8, wherein the adhesivecomprises a resilient material.
 19. A method for connecting structuralparts of an orthopedic component, the method comprising: orienting thestructural parts relative to each other with an intermediate spaceprovided therebetween; retaining the structural parts oriented relativeto each other with an orienting device, the orienting device and thestructural parts together forming a hollow space; delivering an adhesiveto the hollow space with at least one feed connection, the adhesiveproviding an adhesive bond between the structural parts.
 20. The methodas claimed in claim 1, wherein the orienting device holds the structuralparts oriented relative to each other until the adhesive has cured. 21.The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the structuralparts is embedded in the adhesive.